Services

The Biomedical Imaging Team (BIT) at the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital provides a variety of software and hardware services related to virtual microscopy (VM) with the purpose of enhancing biomedical research. An early adopter of this digital imaging technology, BIT began working with virtual microscopy in association with the Biopathology Core (BPC) in 2004. Through a joint funding initiative involving both the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) and the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG), BIT purchased their first Aperio ScanScope T2 imaging robot that formed the basis for their virtual microscopy program.

Since 2004, the BIT has experienced significant growth in both the number of imaging robots actively used in the program and the infrastructure necessary to support large-scale cancer research projects. To date the program has provided valuable VM imaging services to national organizations such as the Children's Oncology Group, the Gynecologic Oncology Group, the pediatric division of the Cooperative Human Tissue Network, Southwest Oncology Group, The Cancer Genome Atlas Project, and for researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

As part of the Biopathology Center, BIT is focused on providing imaging services to facilitate processes related to pathology and specimen banking. These areas of focus include:

HISTOPATHOLOGY VIRTUAL MICROSCOPY & IMAGING

Using specialized equipment and techniques, BIT can create high-quality virtual whole slide images for a wide range of research needs. The VM) and imaging process begins with the submission of tissue samples and results in a series of either bright field or immunofluorescent whole slide images suitable for pathological review. BIT’s capabilities include:

20X/40X bright field whole slide images using the Aperio Scanscope AT Scanner, capable of processing 400 1x3 inch glass slides in a single pass

Whole slide images generated by the BIT can be stored and delivered on a variety of media, including access to a web-based interface that supplies the customer with digital image(s), the Aperio ImageScope viewer, and a list of frequently asked questions. Delivery media options include:

As part of the Biopathology Center, our team can now provide whole slide images of H&E stained tissue microarrays for review. The BPC has a wide array of both pediatric and gynecologic tissue microarrays that can be purchased including:

"I have been impressed with the Biomedical Imaging Team’s ability to integrate new specimen types, such as the mouse models from our laboratory, into their existing systems."

The Biomedical Imaging Team has also shared ideas and software tools for the new Small Animal Imaging Facility."

Brett Hall, PhD
Team Lead Biomarkers
Ortho Biotech Oncology R&D

"The Biomedical Imaging Team has been instrumental in introducing digital pathology to our pathologists by providing training, opportunity, and tools thus allowing this technology to be less disruptive and more productive."

My involvement in the development of new image analysis algorithms with the team has provided me with a glance into the exciting future of pathology."

"Our team is fortunate to work with leading pathologists in both adult and pediatric cancers so we strive to integrate new imaging technologies without disrupting established workflows to enhance research efforts and support the scientific community."